6 Common Mistakes That Can Keep Your Garlic Bulbs Small

You planted your garlic, watched it grow all season, and waited patiently for harvest day. But when you finally pull those bulbs from the ground, they’re smaller than you expected.

What happened?

Growing large, healthy garlic bulbs starts long before harvest. While variety and growing conditions play a role, a few common mistakes can make a significant difference in the size and quality of your crop.

At Mad River Garlic Growers, we’ve spent years growing USDA Certified Organic garlic, and we’ve learned that the details matter. Here are six things to watch for if you want your best garlic harvest yet.

 

1. Planting Too Early

It may seem logical to plant garlic as early as possible, but earlier isn't always better.

Garlic needs time to establish a strong root system before winter. If planted too early, however, cloves can put too much energy into top growth before the ground freezes.

The goal is healthy root development without excessive foliage.

Planting time varies by growing region, so follow the recommended planting window for your area rather than simply planting as soon as fall arrives.

 

2. Feeding at the Wrong Time

Garlic needs nutrients to grow, but more fertilizer doesn't necessarily mean bigger bulbs.

At planting time, we don't feed our garlic. Instead, we allow the cloves to establish themselves naturally.

Once garlic emerges, some growers may benefit from applying blood meal or another appropriate nitrogen source. Soil conditions vary, so having your soil tested can help you determine what nutrients your garden actually needs.

Too much nitrogen can encourage leafy growth at the expense of bulb development.

Our tip: Let your soil test guide your fertilizer decisions rather than feeding your garlic simply because it's growing.

3. Forgetting About Scapes

If you're growing hardneck garlic, you'll eventually see a curly flower stalk called a scape emerge from the plant.

Scapes are delicious and make a wonderful seasonal ingredient, but allowing them to fully develop can divert energy away from bulb growth.

Once scapes begin to curl, remove them to encourage the plant to put more energy toward the bulb.

And don't toss them in the compost pile just yet. Garlic scapes are fantastic sautéed, grilled, blended into pesto, or added to your favorite recipes.

 

4. Planting Cloves Too Close Together

Garlic needs room to grow.

Crowded cloves have to compete for sunlight, water, nutrients, and space. That competition can result in smaller bulbs.

We recommend approximately 6 x 6 inches of spacing between plants. This gives each garlic plant enough room to develop without unnecessarily crowding its neighbors.

Planning your spacing before planting can make a surprisingly big difference when harvest season arrives.

 

5. Poor Soil or Drainage

Garlic doesn't like sitting in wet, heavy soil.

Good drainage is essential for healthy roots and bulbs. If water tends to pool in your garden after heavy rain, consider improving drainage or using raised beds.

Garlic also performs best in loose, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter.

Adding finished compost and preparing your soil before planting can help create the environment your garlic needs to establish strong roots.

If you're unsure what your soil is missing, a soil test can provide useful information before you start adding amendments.

 

6. Harvesting Too Early

Harvesting too early is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

It can be tempting to pull your garlic as soon as the bulbs look large enough, but the plant needs time to finish developing those beautiful bulbs and their protective wrappers.

Instead of harvesting based solely on a calendar date, watch the leaves.

At Mad River Garlic Growers, we harvest when 4 to 5 green leaves remain. The lower leaves will have started turning brown while the upper leaves are still green.

Those remaining green leaves correspond to the protective wrapper layers around the bulb. Harvesting at the right time helps give your garlic the size, quality, and storage potential you're looking for.

When in doubt, dig up a test bulb and take a look.

 

Start with Quality Seed Garlic

Even the best growing practices can't compensate for poor planting stock.

Starting with high-quality organic seed garlic gives your garden a strong foundation. Choose large, healthy bulbs and plant the largest, healthiest cloves for the best chance of producing impressive bulbs next summer.

Different garlic varieties also have different growing characteristics, so choosing varieties suited to your region can make a difference.

From flavorful Rocamboles to beautiful Purple Stripes and reliable Porcelains, experimenting with different varieties is part of the fun.

 

Grow Bigger Garlic, One Step at a Time

Growing large garlic isn't about one secret trick. It's about getting several small things right.

Prepare healthy, well-drained soil. Plant at the appropriate time. Give your cloves enough space. Feed only when needed. Remove scapes from hardneck varieties. And most importantly, wait for the right harvest window.

A little attention throughout the season can turn an average garlic harvest into one you're genuinely proud of.

 

Ready to grow bigger, healthier garlic? Explore our selection of USDA Certified Organic seed garlic and find the varieties that are right for your garden.

Mad River Garlic Growers is here to help you grow your best garlic yet.